Reuniting Families: How Long Does the Immigration Process Really Take?

Right now, immediate relatives of U.S. citizens in Florida face a median I-130 wait of 14–16 months, while preference-based categories (siblings, married children, permanent residents’ families) can see delays of 7 to 20 years. If you’re ready for answers, not averages, here’s exactly where the wait comes from—and how a knowledgeable immigration lawyer in Lakeland can help you take months or years off your journey.

Where Do Immigration Delays Happen? 

Before you can reunite your family, you’ll face a series of bureaucratic hurdles, each with its own risks for delay. Understanding the full process—and the pain points—can help you plan, avoid mistakes, and keep your case moving. Here are the key stages where families lose time:

I‑130 Petition Processing

The first step is filing Form I‑130, Petition for Alien Relative, which establishes your qualifying relationship. In fiscal year 2025, the average I‑130 processing time for immediate relatives is about 14.8 months. For non‑immediate, quota‑capped categories (F1, F2B, F3, F4), the wait just to adjudicate the I‑130 may stretch years. USCIS historical data shows that in recent years, the median processing time for I‑130 immediate relative petitions varied between 10 and 12 months, but as of FY 2024 it edged back upward again.

Visa Availability and Priority Date Delays

For immediate relatives, visa numbers are always available—so once the I‑130 is approved they (theoretically) move forward immediately. For family preference categories (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4), visa numbers are limited annually and assigned by “priority date.” Waitlists are long—some categories show a backlog stretching 7 to 15+ years depending on the country. During periods of “retrogression,” a priority date that was once current can slip backward, re‑pausing advancement. Many families are surprised to learn that a previously available visa number vanishes from sight.

Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing

Once a visa number is available (or if you are an immediate relative), you either file Form I‑485, Adjustment of Status if already in the U.S., or go through consular processing abroad. USCIS sets “final action” and “filing date” charts monthly via the Visa Bulletin. Each route adds time: scheduling interviews, issuing medical clearances, background checks, and embassy waitlists.

Delays Caused by RFEs, Inadmissibility Issues, and Backlogs

Requests for Evidence (RFEs) can pause your case—USCIS will wait for your response and then resume. Inadmissibility grounds (overstays, criminal history, prior fraud) may require waivers, adding months or years. Backlogs continue to grow: in Q2 2025 USCIS completed only 2.7 million cases—an 18% drop year over year. At present, over 11 million cases remain pending across all form types.

The bottom line: Every missed document, wrong category, or delayed response adds months—sometimes years—of separation. Want to avoid these delays? The fastest route is a proactive, hands-on Florida immigration lawyer who audits your case before filing, tracks your visa bulletin, and handles every RFE or checklist immediately.

Five Things You Can Do to Shorten the Wait

Taking a proactive approach can shave months (or years) off your family’s immigration journey. Here’s how to stay ahead:

  • File clean petitions on day one. Mistakes in the I‑130 or missing documents invite RFEs.
  • Track the Visa Bulletin daily. A priority date becoming current is your signal to push to the next stage.
  • Respond quickly to RFEs or NOIDs. Every delay matters.
  • Address inadmissibility issues early. Be proactive about applying for waivers or gathering evidence.
  • Use local advantage. A Florida immigration attorney understands local USCIS and consular patterns—something that can shave processing surprises.

In the best scenario—immediate relatives within the U.S.—you may see full approval in 18 to 24 months (I‑130 + I‑485). For consular cases it may take 24–30 months or more. For family preference categories, the real timeline is often 7 to 15+ years, especially for countries facing high demand. Delays are not just frustrating—they carry emotional, financial, and legal costs for families trying to make plans, find work, or stay together.

Reunite Faster with Espinoza Law Offices

Florida families deserve more than empty estimates and generic updates. At Espinoza Law Offices, our immigration lawyers in Lakeland move every case forward with real-time Visa Bulletin monitoring, complete document audits, and rapid RFE resolution. If you need a bilingual abogado de inmigracion en Lakeland, our team delivers the speed, clarity, and advocacy you need—right here in Florida.

Reunite sooner—call Espinoza Law Offices at (863) 940-9950 or book your confidential strategy session. Every month counts.